Fairview Medical Center serves greater Red Wing well

Red Wing area residents have access to greater depth in health care since Fairview Red Wing Medical Center was designated as a Level 3 trauma center in 2008.

Scott Wordelman, president and CEO of Fairview Red Wing Health Services, said there are big differences in the requirements for each level and that the medical center went after the Level 3 designation based on the scope of services it could economically and physically provide.

"It's interesting, because this was optional," Wordelman said. "The reason we chose to pursue the Level 3 designation is we really believe it's fundamental to the community to provide the best trauma care we can to the region.

"It has certainly taken an investment, but we believe it is what we need to do to provide care to the people of the region," Wordelman added.

He said data shows that when hospitals achieve the Level 3 trauma center status, 85 percent of trauma care can be taken care of locally. Previously, Fairview Red Wing had no specific designation.

Jane Gisslen, director of emergency and urgent care services, and Wordelman agreed that patients do better when they can recover locally and be near family.

Level 3 centers must have intensive care units, physicians and nurses trained in trauma care, among other things, Gisslen said.

"We need to be able to deliver blood products in a prompt manner, have CT scanners, all the physical resources, diagnostic and treatment," including operating rooms and on-call teams, Gisslen said.

In order to be approved for the designation, state officials scrutinized everything from hospital charts and equipment to training of nurses and physicians, and relationships with pre-hospital providers including Red Wing ambulance and the local emergency management services, Gisslen added.

"I think that it certainly represents our continued commitment to the region," Wordelman said of the accomplishment. "Even though we're Red Wing based, this really does impact health regionwide."

Built in 2001, Fairview Red Wing Medical Center, 701 Fairview Blvd., integrates the services of clinic and hospital.

The medical center has a 50-bed inpatient hospital care unit that includes intensive care and a birthing center. Clinic services include primary family services, specialty medical, specialty surgical services in the newly expanded surgical center, and rehabilitation services.

The latest diagnostic tools from CT scan to MRIm digital mammography and full lab services, make this center a complete health care facility for patients throughout Goodhue and Pierce counties.

In addition MyChart, secure online access to medical records for all patients, provides convenience in scheduling appointments, checking test results and communicating with care providers.

Fairview Red Wing provides 24-hour a day emergency care. The Urgent Care Clinic offers quick treatment of non-emergency illnesses and injuries from noon to 8 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. No appointment is necessary for Urgent Care. Call (651) 267-5000.

The Red Wing Fire Department provides the community with ambulance service 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Emergency responders are paramedics and emergency medical technicians. They are state certified and answer calls for the greater Red Wing area, including western Wisconsin. Ambulances are housed at the Fire Hall, 420 Plum St.

For other information about Fairview, call (651) 267-5000 or toll free, (866) 297-9215.

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